VOIP Plans In The Making
But the way ahead for VOIP - voice over internet - is not as clear as the superbond.
Barrow explained that they are looking to start opening up bandwidth to voip users..
Prime Minister Dean Barrow - Prime Minister of Belize
"The chairman of Telemedia has convened a working group, comprised of members of the board and members of staff, and they are very busy forming up the proposal which - as I understand - will see a limited implementation of VOIP in two phases, intiallly with respect to fixed lines and thereafter, of course, with respect to cell phones."
Jules Vasquez
"So, but - perhaps I don't know of where I speak, but the main way I thought people used VOIP was on Skype, which is computer based."
Prime Minister Dean Barrow
"Well, if you don't know enough about it technically, I will confess to an even greater ignorance. And so, if I mis-spoke in terms of what's technically possible just now, I apologize. All I can say then with certainty is that the chairman is determined that VOIP in a limited form - I do stress that - is going to be introduced sooner rather than later."
Jules Vasquez
"The former owners of Telemedia, or the most recent owners - Mr. Prosser and the Ashcroft Alliance - had both formed agreements disallowing the use of VOIP. They did that for a reason. The company becomes less profitable. This has to be a concern for you as well."
Prime Minister Dean Barrow
"Indeed, and that's why I said that it would be limited form of VOIP, and that's why there is this study-group - as it were - to see what is possible - what is feasible. You don't want to go too far with VOIP, which will without a doubt; affect the profitability of the company, before you know what you are in for with compensation. We know what our side - what our experts have said, but until there is a court determination, or some other impartial determination, I hope and expect that Belizean will see with us when we say quite clearly that it cannot be a wholesale introduction of VOIP."
And, we have one more piece of news before we close tonight. The Social Security Board of Directors met this evening to decide on the way forward after reviewing the audit of alleged insider trading at SSB. The meeting started at around 4:00 and finished a short while ago.
Our team dutifully waited, and waited, but at the end of it, when Chairman Lois Young exited at 7:30 pm - she told the press that she couldn't give an interview because it's only fair that she speaks to the CEO before she makes any announcement. So, we'll try again tomorrow to see what the verdict is.
Channel 7